The numbers and symbols below are placed onto six vertical strips of paper:

        8    -    2    9    ×    1
        +    1    =    5    1    5
        =    9    0    2    ÷    6
        1    =    5    6    =    1

Rotate and rearrange the strips so that four valid equations appear across the rows.

Note: Consider the numbers as they appear on a digital watch; 0, 1, 2, 5 and 8 are the same when rotated 180°, while 6 and 9 rotate to each other.

1 8 = 2 x 9
9 + 6 = 1 5
5 = 1 0 / 2
1 1 - 5 = 6

Since the lines cannot begin or end with "=", the first line must begin and end with 1 and 9, the last line with 1 and 6. Then some trial and error gives the solution above. There may be others...

Posted by stan on 2003-12-22 08:43:59